LAKKI MARWAT: The district health department has asked the pharmaceutical companies to ensure supply of essential medicines to government city hospital without delay.

“The companies have been directed to arrange immediate supply of medicines on approved rates for the year 2017-18 as per the agreement with medicines coordination cell (MCC) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department,” said an official on Monday.

The official denied reports regarding unavailability of anti-rabies, anti-venom and insulin injections in local hospitals.

“Such medicines are available in Lakki city hospital, Naurang hospital and other health centres and are provided to patients under a proper procedure to avoid misuse of costly injections,” he maintained.

He said the allegations about sale of MCC-labeled medicines in open market were false, adding the officials of health department and district administration regularly inspected medical stores and did not report any such matter to the health authorities.

MAN KILLED: A man was killed over a blood feud near the Gambila Bridge on Indus Highway on Monday.

A complainant Hakim Khan told police he along with his brother Mir Baz Khan and cousin Sher Baz Khan left Gambila town in a car for Malang Adda. He said two armed bike riders -- Najibullah and Mohammad Aslam -- chased the car and came in front of it when they crossed Gambila Bridge.

The bike riders and their four other accomplices who were already present there opened fire on the car, he maintained, saying as a result of sudden attack Mir Baz Khan sustained wounds and the car skidded off the road as he lost control over the steering.

The injured later died while the attackers disappeared in the nearby forests. Police registered a case and began investigations.

OUTLAWS ARRESTED: Police claimed to have arrested over 100 wanted criminals during a fortnightly operation and seized weapons from them, said an official on Monday.

DPO Arif Shebaz Khan ordered launch of the action when he came to know about the surge in number of proclaimed offenders in the district, he said.

The official said different police parties raided the hideouts of criminal gangs and arrested 101 wanted outlaws.

He added the cops also seized arms and ammunition from criminals and registered cases against them.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2018